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The purpose of this study is to examine the behavioral and developmental characteristics of children with inv(9). This case control study included 12 inv(9) subjects and 45 normal students. All of the subjects, together with their parents, underwent a psychiatric interview and parent questionnaire consisting of a Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The mean scores with regard to the social problems and total problems profiles of the CBCL were significantly higher in the inv(9) group than in the normal control group. The inv(9) group exhibited language and motor developmental delay. These findings suggest that there is a possibility of inv(9) being associated with child developmental or behavioral problems.

Introduction: The association between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is accumulating in various patient populations. However, when stratified by sex, the relationship between microalbuminuria and CVD remains unclear. Method: We obtained data from the 2011–2014 and 2019–2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Microalbuminuria was measured based on spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). The Framingham risk score (FRS) model was implemented to evaluate the CVD risk. Linear and logistic regression models were used to identify the associations of microalbuminuria status with cardiometabolic predictors and CVD status determined by the FRS score. Results: Among 19,340 representative Korean participants, the (UACR) in Korean women and men with history of CVD was higher than in those without history of CVD. Among patients without history of CVD, multivariate regression analysis showed that a high UACR was related to older age, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, higher total cholesterol level, higher systolic blood pressure, higher prevalence of current smoking, higher prevalence of diabetes, and higher anti-hypertensive medication use in both women and men. The UACR showed a positive linear correlation with the Framingham risk score in both women and men. Conclusion: The presence of microalbuminuria was significantly associated with the cardiometabolic risk factors and the increased risk of CVD evaluated by FRS model in both women and men in a nationally representative sample of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines three Japan–South Korea postwar compensation cases: the comfort women issue, the Sakhalin Island forced labor issue, and Korean atomic bomb survivor issue. These compensation movements produced vastly different results, even though the basic policy directions for compensation provision in all three cases were similar. Japan's approach toward the comfort women problem has been a complete failure, while its treatment of the Sakhalin forced labor issue and the atomic bomb issues has been more successful. This article's explanation of the different outcomes focuses on the character and geographical base of the civic groups leading these compensation movements. In South Korea, women's rights activists spearheaded the comfort women compensation movement and related victim-relief activities. The Korean non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that assisted the comfort women treated this problem not only as a women's rights issue, but also as a nationalist issue. In contrast, the Red Cross, a politically neutral international organization, promoted the Sakhalin forced labor and atomic bomb issues. In short, the different receptions accorded to those championing the comfort women issue and those promoting the Sakhalin forced labor and atomic bomb issues depended on the principal agent of each compensation process. This article aims to provide some implications for successfully implementing postwar compensation policies. It suggests that, if successful postwar compensation policy depends on successful perpetrator–victim reconciliation, establishing solidarity between perpetrator and victim countries' civic groups is important. This can only be facilitated through the depoliticized and transparent operation of leading NGOs both inside and outside the redressal-seeking nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

89Zr is an emerging radionuclide with promising application in nuclear medicine for the non-invasive diagnosis of various cancers with PET imaging. This paper would discuss optimization efforts in the production of 89Zr carried out at Accelerator Radioisotope Development Team, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Optimized conditions reveal high production yields of 89Zr ~ 37 ± 1.4 MBq/µA using 89Y(p,n)89Zr, ~ 12.7 MeV of proton, and 35 µA using yttrium coin target with indigenously constructed 30 MeV Cyclotron (RFT-30). Besides, the production optimization, quality control, and biological behavior of [89Zr]Zr-oxalate, chloride and, DFO demonstrated promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies indicated an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and air particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter <10μm (PM10), as well as smaller PM. Limited information, however, is available for the neuropathological links underlying such association.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between long-term PM10 exposure and in vivo pathologies of AD using multimodal neuroimaging.Methods: The study population consisted of 309 older adults without dementia (191 cognitively normal and 118 mild cognitive impairment individuals), who lived in Republic of Korea. Participants underwent comprehensive clinical assessments, 11C-Pittsburg compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging scans. A subset of 78 participants also underwent 18F-AV-1451 tau PET evaluation. The mean concentration of PM with aerodynamic diameter <10μm over the past 5 years (PM10mean) collected from air pollution surveillance stations were matched to each participant's residence.Results: In this non-demented study population, of which 62% were cognitively normal and 38% were in mild cognitive impairment state, exposure to the highest tertile of PM10mean was associated with increased risk of amyloid-β (Aβ) positivity (odds ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 4.26) even after controlling all potential confounders. In contrast, there was no significant associations between PM10mean exposure and tau accumulation. AD signature cortical thickness and white matter hyperintensity volume were also not associated with PM10mean exposure.Conclusion: The findings suggest that long-term exposure to PM10 may contribute to pathological Aβ deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the existence of proteasomes in human blood, termed circulating proteasomes (c-proteasomes), has been reported previously, their origin and pathophysiological functions remain largely unknown.Objective: Given that c-proteasome activity was significantly reduced in Alzheimer's disease model mice and relatively high frequency of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is accompanied by chronic tinnitus in aged patients, we examined whether c-proteasome activity in human plasma was associated with cognitive function in patients with chronic tinnitus.Methods: c-Proteasome activity in the plasma of tinnitus patients (N = 55) was measured with fluorogenic reporter substrate, suc-LLVY-AMC. To assess MCI, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was conducted with a cut-off score of 22/23. All patients underwent audiological and psychoacoustic analyses. Levels of c-proteasomes, Aβ42, and Aβ40 were measured using ELISA, and their association with c-proteasome activity was evaluated.Results: The activity of circulating proteasomes was significantly lower in patients with chronic tinnitus and MCI (p = 0.042), whereas activities of other plasma enzymes showed little correlation. In addition, c-proteasome activity was negatively associated with the level of plasma Aβ and was directly dependent on its own concentration in the plasma of patients with chronic tinnitus.Conclusion: Our current work provides a new perspective for understanding the potential relationship between circulating proteasomes in the plasma and cognitive dysfunction, suggesting a novel, non-invasive biomarker in the context of MCI diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to reveal the relationship between life activities and cognitive function and to evaluate the interaction between education and various leisure activities in predicting cognitive function. Using a cross-sectional research design with retrospective data, a total of 210 healthy Korean older adults participated and reported their years of education, working, and lifelong leisure activities. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that education was positively associated with cognitive function, whereas working activity was not. Craft activities positively predicted cognitive function. Furthermore, education moderated the relationship between leisure activities and cognitive function. Only low-educated participants showed a decrease in cognitive function as they performed domestic chores and an increase in cognitive function as they participated in social activities and volunteering. High-educated participants showed no relation between leisure activities and cognitive function. The results of the current study suggest that the relationship between various leisure activities and cognitive function can vary based on the nature of the leisure activity and educational level. Professionals examining older adults' cognitive function should pay closer attention to educational level, as well as life styles (i.e. leisure activities), to provide appropriate interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postburn pruritus is a common distressing sequela of burn wounds. Empirical antipruritic treatment often fails to have a satisfactory outcome, as the mechanism of it has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the manifestation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and other related receptors in postburn pruritus. Sixty-five burn patients with ( n = 40) or without ( n = 25) pruritus were investigated, including skin biopsies. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts from skin biopsy samples were separated. Real time-PCR showed that mRNA of TRPV3 was significantly increased in keratinocytes from pruritic burn scars than in keratinocytes from nonpruritic burn scars. With TRPV3 activation, intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were more significantly increased in keratinocytes from pruritic burn scars than in those from nonpruritic ones. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) were also significantly increased in pruritic burn scars. In conclusion, it was confirmed that TRPV3, PAR2, and NK1R were highly expressed in pruritic burn scars. These results may help determine a novel mechanism for postburn pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goals of the present study were to develop and validate the Rappel Indicé 24 (RI-24), a shorter version of the original Rappel Indicé, which includes 48 items (RI-48), and to identify the specific brain regions that were correlated with scores on the RI-24. Using these clinical scales, the present study evaluated 91 elderly Korean participants who were classified into 3 groups: normal control (NC; n = 34), patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 29), and patients with Alzheimer disease (AD; n = 28). Of the 91 participants, 77 also underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans. The RI-24 delayed cued recall (DCR) scores significantly differed among the NC, MCI, and AD groups. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the RI-24 was very sensitive (89%) and specific (91%) for the detection of AD. Furthermore, although the time needed to administer the RI-24 was half that needed for the RI-48, the 24-item version showed a high correlation (r= .85 for the DCR score) with the 48-item version. In terms of brain morphological characteristics, voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between DCR score and gray matter volume in the parahippocampal gyrus (r= .468), which plays a role in cued recall. Taken together, the present findings indicate that the RI-24 is a sensitive and reliable test for the detection of memory impairments in patients with MCI and AD despite its brief administration time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A standardized tool for evaluating semantic knowledge of the Korean population is needed.Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a neuropsychological test for the evaluation of semantic knowledge in the Korean elderly population.Methods: The Korean version of the Size/Weight Attribute Test (SWAT-K) was developed in reference to the original version. The diagnostic validity of SWAT-K was evaluated with 95 elderly outpatients [67 normal controls; 18 with Alzheimer's disease (AD); 10 with semantic-variant progressive aphasia (SV-PPA)]. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was employed to examine associations between SWAT-K scores and morphological changes of the brain.Results: SWAT-K could discriminate the three subject groups (normal >AD, p <  0.001; AD >SV-PPA, p = 0.040), whereas Boston Naming Test could not distinguish SV-PPA from AD. ROC curve analysis confirmed high levels of sensitivity (0.90) and specificity (0.93) for SWAT-K. The test's inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.827) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.666) were assessed as well. VBM found a significant positive correlation (uncorrected p <  0.005, k >  100) between SWAT-K scores and gray matter volume in right inferior frontal cortex (T = 4.08, k = 191) and bilateral temporal cortices (left, T = 4.42, k = 135; right, T = 3.55, k = 253), the areas the most affected in SV-PPA.Conclusions: SWAT-K is a sensitive and reliable test for evaluating semantic knowledge in the Korean elderly population. Strong positive correlations between SWAT-K scores and the brain areas responsible for semantic processing further corroborate the validity of SWAT-K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Near-elderly adults go through many changes in socioeconomic status, such as retirement, which may affect their mental health differently according to when they live. We aimed to compare the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and its changes according to sociodemographic factors using nationally representative surveys of Korean near-elderly adults conducted 10 years apart.Methods: Nationwide community samples of individuals aged 55-64 years living in 2001 (n = 1256) and 2011 (n = 1066) were compared. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to diagnose MDD. Sociodemographic data were collected using self-reported questionnaires including questions on employment and economic status. We examined differences in MDD prevalence and its association with sociodemographic factors over time by calculating 2011-to-2001 odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable logistic regression models.Results: Among near-elderly people, MDD tended to be more prevalent in 2011 than in 2001. However, only near-elderly men in 2011 showed a higher risk of MDD compared with those in 2001 (2011-to-2001 OR 4.19), while women did not. The prevalence ratio by gender decreased from 7.04 in 2001 to 2.34 in 2011. Among vulnerable sociodemographic groups, a significant increase in MDD was observed in unemployed men (adjusted OR 8.35), but not in unemployed women or other vulnerable groups.Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a substantial increase in MDD in Korean near-elderly men and suggests that unemployment should be considered as an important correlate of MDD in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The diagnosis of insomnia is based on the presence of four different symptoms: difficulty in initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty in maintaining sleep (DMS), early morning awakening (EMA), and non-restorative sleep (NRS). This study investigated the differences in sociodemographic correlates and psychiatric comorbidity between the four symptoms of insomnia in the general population of South Korea. Methods: A sample of the population aged 18-64 ( N = 6,510) was questioned using a face-to-face interview. Insomnia was defined as having at least one of the four following symptoms three or more times per week: DIS, DMS, EMA, and NRS. Psychiatric disorders were evaluated using the Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to test each of the sleep outcomes (DIS, DMS, EMA, or NRS) for an association with sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results: The prevalence of DIS, DMS, EMA, and NRS were 7.9 % (95 % CI 6.6-9.5 %), 7.9 % (95 % CI 6.5-9.6 %), 4.9 % (95 % CI 3.9-6.0 %), and 14.8 % (95 % CI 12.6-17.4 %), respectively. The overall prevalence of insomnia was 19.0 % (95 % CI 16.1-22.2 %). Being separated, divorced, or widowed, being single, having a part-time job, having a psychiatric illness, and having a physical illness were all significantly related to insomnia. Older age also increased the risk of DMS and EMA, and younger age was a risk factor for NRS. The presence of most psychiatric disorders was significantly related to insomnia. However, the relationship between the psychiatric illness and each insomnia symptom varied and was dependent on the insomnia symptom. Conclusions: Most psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with each insomnia symptom in different ways. Differences in sociodemographic and clinical correlates between the four insomnia symptoms implied the heterogeneous characteristics of insomnia as defined by the current diagnostic criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in response to pharmacological treatments in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a matter of controversy. This analysis investigated the effect of the APOE genotype on the clinical response to rivastigmine transdermal patch monotherapy or memantine plus rivastigmine patch in patients with mild to moderate AD. Methods: Two hundred and six (n = 206) patients with probable AD and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of 10-20 were randomized to rivastigmine patch monotherapy or memantine plus rivastigmine patch for 24 weeks. Of the 206 patients with probable AD, 146 patients who consented to genetic testing for APOE were included and assessed for this subgroup study. Results: There were no significant differences on MMSE, NPI, ADAS-cog, ADCS-ADL, CDR-SB, NPI and FAB between rivastigmine patch monotherapy and memantine plus rivastigmine patch according to the APOE genotype. However, patients with moderately severe AD (MMSE ≤15) who were APOE ε4 carriers showed higher responder rates on ADCS-ADL with memantine plus rivastigmine patch compared to rivastigmine patch monotherapy. Conclusion: Moderately severe AD patients with the APOE ε4 allele may respond more favorably to memantine plus rivastigmine patch than ε4 noncarriers. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study represents the first attempt at examining variation across Korean cohorts with respect to lifetime risk of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders. Aims: To present data on lifetime prevalence and projected lifetime risk, as well as age of onset (AOO) and demographic correlates of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders as assessed in the nationwide survey of a representative sample of Korean adults. Method: The survey was based on a multistage area probability sample of non-institutionalized Koreans aged 18-64 years. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 (K-CIDI 2.1) was administered by lay interviewers. Results: Lifetime prevalence of any disorder was 24.6%. Alcohol abuse (9.2%), alcohol dependence (7.0%), major depressive disorder (5.6%), specific phobia (3.8%), and GAD (1.6%) were the most common disorders. The median AOO was earliest for anxiety disorders (age 29), latest for mood disorders (age 47), and intermediate for alcohol use disorders (age 31). Compared to observed lifetime prevalence (24.6%), 35.0% of Koreans will eventually experience one of these disorders. Further, half of the population who present with a psychiatric disorder do so by the age of 32 and younger cohorts are at greater risk for most disorders. Conclusions: About one-third of the Korean adult population will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV psychiatric disorder at some time during their life. The median age of onset varies from disorder to disorder and younger cohorts appear to be at greater risk for most disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) increase cognitive impairment in patients with dementia. Objective: We investigated the impact of WMH on the neuropsychological profiles in patients with mild to moderate dementia. Methods: We consecutively recruited newly diagnosed patients with mild to moderate dementia across South Korea for 1 year. The participants completed neuropsychological tests, magnetic resonance imaging, and structured neurological evaluations. The patients were divided into 3 categories, i.e. minimal, moderate, and severe WMH groups, according to the proportional degree of WMH. Results: 289 patients were recruited; 140 (48.3%) for the minimal WMH group, 99 (34.2%) for the moderate group, and 50 (17.5%) for the severe group. Both advanced age and low general cognitive level were significant contributors to WMH in patients with dementia. After adjusting for age, the neuropsychological correlates of the proportional impact of WMH were frontal executive, language, and attention profiles. However, the only significant neuropsychological correlate was the recognition memory profile after adjusting for both age and general cognitive level simultaneously. Conclusion: The results suggest that the most significant neuropsychological profile impacting the burden of WMH in patients with mild to moderate dementia was the recognition memory profile, regardless of age and general cognitive function. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the associations of periventricular white matter hyperintensities (PWMHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) with cognition, activities of daily living (ADLs), and neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia. This was a hospital-based MRI300 study. We recruited patients newly diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia caused either by Alzheimer’s disease or subcortical ischemic vascular dementia from 13 dementia clinics at university or general hospitals in South Korea. We enrolled 289 patients aged over 50 from August 2007 to March 2008. We compared cognition, ADLs, and neuropsychiatric symptoms among 3 groups according to the severities of PWMHs and DWMHs, respectively, by adjusting for age, vascular risk factors, and level of other WMHs. A higher severity of PWMHs was related to lower cognitive function and severer neuropsychiatric symptoms, whereas basic ADLs were associated with DWMH. Both PWMHs and DWMHs exhibited different associations with cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and daily activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: South Korea is one of the few countries that has succeeded in flattening the curve of new COVID-19 cases and avoiding a second outbreak by implementing multiple strategies, ranging from an individual level to the population level.Objective: We aim to discuss the unique strategies and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in South Korea and present a summary of policies implemented by the Korean government during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study of epidemiological data published by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on October 1, 2020. We analyzed detailed epidemiological information of COVID-19 cases, including the number of confirmed cases and resulting deaths.Results: As of October 1, 2020, a total of 23,889 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 415 deaths were reported in South Korea. In this paper, we present data on the epidemiological characteristics and transmission of the disease and discuss how the South Korean government, health care providers, and society responded to the COVID-19 outbreak.Conclusions: Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in South Korea and the government's successful efforts in managing the spread of the disease can provide important insights to other countries dealing with the ongoing pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cirsium setidens Nakai is a perennial plant extensively used as food in Korea. Various reports have illustrated the presence of phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities; however, little is known about the volatile compounds present in this plant. Here, a novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) Arrow method was performed to extract and analyze volatile compounds from freeze-dried Cirsium setidens Nakai. Four types of SPME Arrows coated with films, such as carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane, divinylbenzene/polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, and polyacrylate were evaluated to identify the most suitable Arrow. The carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane Arrow was found to exhibit high affinity for the volatile compounds present in Cirsium setidens Nakai. A total of 58 volatile compounds were identified. The major compounds were 2-Pentylfuran, 1-Methylcycloheptanol, 1-Penten-3-ol, 2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethylheptane, 2,3,6,7-Tetramethyloctane, 5-Ethyl-2,2,3-trimethylheptane, 3,5-Octadien-2-one, β-Cyclocitral, and trans-β-Ionone. The present study demonstrates that the SPME Arrow coated with the carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane film is suitable for the analytical profiling of volatile compounds present in Cirsium setidens Nakai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in Korea, few studies have been conducted on the temporal priority with comorbid mental disorders. We investigated the temporal priority of lifetime AUDs and comorbid mood and anxiety disorders among the general population of Korea. Data of 18,807 respondents aged 18 years or older, collected from three national epidemiological surveys comprising face-to-face interviews using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV mental disorders. For each mood or anxiety disorder, the extent to which one mental disorder precedes another was investigated by calculating the proportion of primary AUDs by that of primary mood or anxiety disorder. Regarding alcohol dependence, dysthymic disorder is 5.6 times more likely to occur before alcohol dependence. Moreover, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia are 3.6 times, 4.5 times, and 6.3 times more likely to occur before, respectively. Regarding alcohol abuse, specific phobia is 6.3 times more likely to occur before, whereas major depressive disorder is two times more likely to occur after. Moreover, the lag times between primary alcohol abuse and subsequent mood or anxiety disorders were longer than those between primary alcohol dependence and the latter. The age of onset might be subject to recall bias. The presence of non-respondents could have influenced the results. We need to recognize that one of the mental disorders could lead to another and consider it in the management of people with AUDs or mood and anxiety disorders. • We studied the temporal priority of AUDs and comorbid mood and anxiety disorders. • Phobias are more likely to occur before than after AUDs. • MDD is more likely to occur after than before alcohol abuse. • Notably, each disorder represents a risk of the subsequent disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insecure attachment styles have been known to predict greater burden in caregivers of dementia patients. However, it has not been tested how filial obligation, which refers to one’s sense of duty on helping elderly parents and is especially pronounced in Asian cultures, is involved in that relationship. We sought to identify whether the association between attachment style and caregiver burden differs according to the degree of filial obligation in caregivers of dementia patients. To assess filial obligation in Korean participants, a Korean filial obligation measure was developed. Ninety-eight Korean female caregivers of dementia patients reported their attachment style, filial obligation, burden, and patient behavioral symptoms. Patients’ cognitive abilities, daily activity levels, and global dementia severities were obtained from hospital records. When adjusting for caregiver and patient characteristics, greater attachment anxiety predicted higher burden, corroborating literature findings. However, the association of attachment avoidance with burden was contingent on filial obligation: When obligation was high, greater avoidance associated with lower burden, which contrasts with previous negative implications of attachment insecurity. This implies a buffering role of attachment avoidance among those highly obligated. In addition, obligation positively predicted burden among those low in avoidance. This study is the first one to investigate and find conditional associations between attachment style, filial obligation, and caregiver burden. Given that filial obligation tends to be higher in caregivers of Eastern countries, this study provides quantitative evidence that the caregiving process may be different for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with subthreshold bipolar disorder (Sub-BP) experience severe clinical courses and functional impairments which are comparable to those with bipolar I and II disorders (BP-I and -II). Nevertheless, lifetime prevalence, socioeconomic correlates and diagnostic overlaps of bipolar spectrum disorder (BPS) have not yet been estimated in the general population of South Korean adults.Methods: A total of 3013 adults among the 2011 Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area survey (KECA-2011) completed face-to-face interviews using the Korean versions of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 and Mood Disorder Questionnaire (K-CIDI and K-MDQ).Results: The lifetime prevalence of BPS in the South Korean adults was measured to be 4.3% (95% CI 2.6-6.9). Nearly 80% of the subjects with BPS were co-diagnosed with other DSM-IV non-psychotic mental disorders: 35.4% (95% CI 24.2-48.5) for major depression and dysthymic disorder, 35.1% (95% CI 27.7-43.3) for anxiety disorders, and 51.9% (95% CI 40.5-63.1) for alcohol and nicotine use disorders. Younger age (18-34 years) was the only sociodemographic predictor of BPS positivity (P=0.014), and the diagnostic overlap patterns were different between men and women.Limitations: The prevalence of BPS and other mental disorders could have been influenced by recall bias due to the retrospective nature of this study.Conclusions: Positivity for BPS was estimated to be much greater than the prevalence of DSM-IV BP in South Korea. Most of the respondents with BPS were diagnosed with other major mental disorders and this might be related with mis- and/or under-diagnosis of clinically relevant Sub-BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To document the prevalence of albuminuria and determine its relationship to risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Korean adults. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of adults aged 45–74 years from Namwon City, South Korea. Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)≥30mg/g. The values of UACR were categorized into 5 groups: <10, 10–19, 20–29, 30–299, and ≥300mg/g. Risk factors for CVD and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were analyzed for an association with UACR values. Results: Data were obtained from 10,534 participants (4140 men and 6394 women). Albuminuria was more prevalent among women than men (27.3% versus 22.7%, respectively, p <0.001), and it was also more prevalent among older participants (p <0.001). The prevalence of albuminuria was 36.3% among participants with hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and it was 16.6% among participants without these conditions. The UACR was positively associated with CVD risk factors, including blood pressure, obesity indexes, total cholesterol, and the eGFR. Conclusions: The prevalence of albuminuria is high in the general population in Korea, even among Koreans without CVD risk factors. Lower UACR values are associated with reduced CVD risk factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to estimate prevalence rates and risk factors of LLD among a large nationwide sample of Korean elders in South Korea. Method: Of 8199 randomly sampled Koreans aged 65years or more, 6018 participated (response rate=73.4%). Using the Korean version of the short form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K), we classified individual scoring 8 or 9 as having possible depression and those scoring≥10 as having probable depression. Results: The age-, gender-, education-, and urbanicity-standardized prevalences were 10.1% (95% CI=9.3–10.8) for possible depression, 17.8% (95% CI=16.8–8.7) for probable depression, and 27.8% (95% CI=26.7–29.0) for overall depression. Poverty, living alone, low education, illiteracy, smoking, history of head trauma, and low Mini Mental Status Examination score were associated with greater risk of depression, while mild alcohol use and moderate to heavy exercise were associated with lower risk of depression. However gender difference in the risk of depression was not found. Conclusion: LLD is decidedly common in South Korea. It was associated with various sociodemographic and clinical factors, some of which are amendable through policy actions. This study was limited by use of the SGDS-K rather than a standardized clinical interview. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]